Unsatisfactory update on my cat problem,I'm afraid!

Hi,I just wanted to update on my thread where I was looking for advice on a male stray cat that had adopted us and was keeping my two female cats under house arrest as they were afraid to go out...he kept trying to attack one of them in particular.Well,I had him neutered and then began the process of gradual introduction to the house etc.It was a disaster and he badly attacked my little female cat yet again.I had done the several days of having him in a separate room etc,all the usual advice but it was clear it was not going to work.It was upsetting everyone in the house actually,even the dog.I managed to get the local rescue/rehoming centre to reluctantly take him as they are practically overflowing.I was thrilled and two days ago,arrangements were made to take him there.My cat carrier is a bit small as he is much larger than my two girl cats so I put him in a large laundry basket with a lid on top which he could see out of etc.He was used to this as I had used it many times to take him into a room to see the other two cats in the house and ensure they couldn't have actual contact.We set off in the car and before I got to the centre I had to stop at my aunts house to collect something for her as she is in hospital , but when I stopped the car I realised the cat had managed to get out of the laundry basket(I thought I had secured it enough) and was on the back seat of the car.I opened the back door of the car to put him back in the basket but he jumped out of the car past me and walked into the nearest house,going through the front garden and then around the back of the house.That I am afraid is the last I saw of him.This was in a large housing estate and a nice one with lots of families etc living there(really not a rough area at all) so I am hoping someone will take him in.He is very vocal,always miawowing at people.At least I guess he has a good chance of finding shelter,foraging etc in a built up area compared to a rural area(which is where we live).I have gone back a few times to see if I could spot him but not a chance.I hate thinking of him cold and hungry out there.He always struck me as a tough cookie though and a survivor.I dunno,I feel I let him down .

I understand how you feel, completely understand. All you can do is tell yourself that you did your absolute best by him.

It's worth perhaps alerting local vets/rescues/Facebook page/Police Station or Neighbourhood Watch group if there is one just incase someone's looking for an owner. Having had him neutered someone may have taken him in not realizing he's a stray who was up for rescue.

Oh dear. And this is why you must NEVER transport cats in anything other than a proper cat carrier. Unfortunately we see this sort of thing happen all the time when people bring cats they've found into our clinic (and we always tell them not to bring them without a proper carrier). On more than one occasion a cat has broken free, run into the road and been killed.

How far is it from where you live? I think you need to go round there if at all possible at least every other day and put food down, for around two or three weeks. If you do it in the same place at the same time (daytime, not evening if possible so it's not the foxes that are eating it) then you might get him back.

Yes I am driving there and having a look every day..was there a few hours ago in fact and no sign.I was going to put food down but there are lots of cats in the area and either another cat/dog is going to take it.It is right on a pavement where he wandered away.Yes the rescue know and am putting word around also via leaflets etc.It is approx 7 miles from where we live but I generally drive to the town most days.Sigh,yes I know I let him down !I just wanted to let you all know.If anything else happens I will fill you in